MICHIGAN RACE REPORT
- by Stenzo


SPEED FINISHES “BEST OF CLASS” IN CAUTION-FREE SHOWDOWN

Michigan Speedway (6/23/00) -- In only the second caution-free event of the season, Speed lead the contingent of four TEAM SPEEDLAN members to the checkered flag, finishing 7th in a very rigorous race. After suffering a bad qualifying run, Speed started back in 19th, but at the drop of the green flag he quickly raced up through the field, establishing himself as an early threat. He did manage to find the lead at one point, but could only hold on for 3 laps before turning it over. This marks Speed's eleventh top 10 finish of the season as he extended his points lead to 248 points over Stenzo.

Bob started from 15th, but swiftly made his way up through the pack to race among the leaders all afternoon. But as the race progressed caution-free, fuel mileage and tire wear became decisive factors, and he slid back a bit in the final laps to finish 9th. This marks his sixth top 10 finish of the season as he surged to a 111 point advantage over Coyote, maintaining his third place spot in the championship standings.

Stenzo had a very poor qualifying lap after hitting the wall in turn one, and was forced to start from the back of the field in 25th place. He raced hard to push his way through the pack and toward the front and had a good run going, but he never managed to claim the lead. Then during a routine pit stop, he was caught speeding on pit lane and was issued a stop-and-go penalty, which dropped him back to the rear of the field once again. He was only able to pass 5 cars before the checkered flag fell, where he finished in 20th, marking the sixth time in 14 races he's finished out of the top 10.

Starting from the 9th position, Coyote had the best qualifying spot of all four SPEEDLAN boys. But bad luck struck him again as he got into trouble right away on lap one when he rear-ended a car that had checked up to get in line, seriously damaging the nose of his car. This proved to be the start of his demise. He then struggled throughout the remainder of the race just to maintain position, but with no caution flags to slow the field, he ended up falling off the lead lap, where he finished in 23rd for the third time this season. Hang in there Coyote fans, his luck has got to turn around soon!